Your Baby at Week 19

At half a pound and six inches long, your baby is about the size of a juicy mango. And that’s pretty sweet!

On the development docket this week: a total baby body wrap. Your little one gets a head-to-toe coating of vernix caseosa, a white cheesy-looking substance made up of lanugo (that downy hair), oil from his glands, and dead skin cells. Maybe not a recipe for your favorite spa treatment, but just the right one for your fetus.

This waterproof mixture protects your baby’s skin from his 24/7 bath — the amniotic fluid — and lubricates the birth canal. Without it, baby would look positively prune-y at birth and would have a much tougher time getting out the door. Don’t be surprised if you see vernix remnants on your newborn right after delivery, especially if he makes an early debut.

On the looks side, your baby’s monkey-like appearance of yester-week is yesterday’s news now that his legs have gone through a growth spurt and are finally in proportion to his arms. Those longer legs, coupled with the strengthening of cartilage into bone, will make your little one’s kicks and jabs more powerful.

Add to that the newly-formed neurons that are sending better commanding messages from the brain to the muscles and you’ve got a formula for stronger, meaner, and more controlled movements, allowing your acrobat to take his body for some serious test-drives — and for you to start feeling them. In the coming weeks you’ll experience plenty of flutters, kicks, jabs, twists, stretches, and punches. And no matter when you begin feeling them or what they feel like, all your baby’s movements are bound to be moving.

At a Glance

Skin Coating

Your baby's sensitive skin is now covered in vernix caseosa, a greasy, white, cheese-like coating that protects her skin from being wrinkled at birth.

Just Breathe

Your baby's lungs are developing, with the main airwaves (called bronchioles) beginning to form this week.

Feel That Kick?

You may be able to feel baby move for the first time this week, but don't panic if you don't. You will soon!

Vernix Develops

Six inches long this week and just over a half pound in weight, your baby has gone through a bit of a growth spurt. What's more, your little one has a cheesy varnish. Say what? You read that right — a protective substance called vernix caseosa (vernix is the Latin word for "varnish"; caseosa means "cheese") now covers your fetus' skin. It's greasy, white and made up of lanugo (that downy hair), oil from your baby's glands and dead skin cells. This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appealing, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, she'd look very wrinkled at birth (sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months). The vernix sheds as delivery approaches, though some babies — especially those born early — will still be covered with it at birth, so you might get a look at your baby's first anti-wrinkle cream.

Your Body at Week 19

Leg Cramps

There's nothing like getting into bed at the end of a long, exhausting day — especially when you're pregnant. Aching for a good night's sleep — literally, if your back's been acting up again — you throw back the covers and prepare to happily drift into dreamland. But if you're like many expecting moms, something may be keeping you awake tonight (besides what color to paint the nursery): leg cramps. These painful spasms that radiate up and down your calves are very common during the second and third trimester. While these cramps can occur during the day, you'll notice them (oh, baby, will you notice them!) more at night.

No one knows for sure what causes them, though there are plausible theories aplenty. It could be that your leg muscles are just fatigued from carrying around all the extra weight of pregnancy. Or that the vessels that carry blood to and from your legs are compressed by your growing uterus at 19 weeks pregnant. There's also speculation that it may be somehow related to diet, though this hunch hasn't been substantiated by studies. Whatever the cause, you'll need a quick fix when a leg cramp does strike — especially when it's standing (or lying) between you and a good night's sleep. So here's one for you: Straighten your leg and gently flex your ankle and toes back toward your shins.

Feeling Baby's Kicks

Your sister said she felt her baby kick by this point in her pregnancy — and so did your best friend — but so far, you haven't felt a thing. Except those gas bubbles this morning…those were gas, weren't they? Maybe, maybe not. Those first tiny kicks can be felt many different ways — anytime, on average, between week 18 and week 22 — as the merest flutter or the most insistent slug. Or as gas bubbles that aren't gas at all (for days you might be sure it’s just all the dried fruit you’ve been eating). Some of it has to do with your size (the thinner you are, the more likely you are to feel movements earlier), some of it has to do with your muscle tone (the laxer the uterine muscles, the easier it is to feel those kicks — which is why second-timers generally feel them sooner), some has to do with the baby's position (when the baby kicks facing in, it's more difficult to perceive the movements). Also, an inaccurate due date can have you doubting whether that was your baby’s momentous first kick. Don't worry, there's no mistaking the real thing once your baby gets that technique down — and gets big enough to pack a serious punch.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 19

Having a hard time staying away from the fridge (and cupboards and pantry)? Keep tempting junk foods out of the house and instead fill your kitchen with nutritious goodies — but do occasionally allow yourself to indulge in sinful treats so that you don’t end up bingeing on them. Read More

About 90 percent of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy, so you’re not alone. While there is no proven cure, moisturizers such as cocoa butter can help ease the dryness and itching associated with stretched skin. Read More

If you can’t seem to get regular, take a look at your supplements and medications: Some of them, such as iron, can make constipation worse. Ask your practitioner to help you come up with some alternatives until your digestive system gets back on track. Read More

Your growing uterus may put pressure on your blood vessels (among other parts of your body), reducing blood flow to your brain and causing you to feel light-headed. Even though dizziness is common, don’t ignore it — take it easy and sit or lie down as soon as you start to feel woozy so that you don’t hurt yourself or the baby. Read More

As your uterus grows, you may find your center of gravity shifting forward, putting extra pressure on your lower back. Avoid straining your back further by letting others lift heavy loads for you. If you absolutely must lift something, stabilize yourself by assuming a wide stance, bend at the knees (not at the waist) and slowly lift with your arms and legs, not your back. Read More

Is the swelling in your nasal passages making it hard for you to breathe? Here’s how to blow your nose without damaging nasal membranes and causing a nosebleed: Use your thumb to close one nostril and blow gently out the other side. Read More

Tips for You This Week

Ask About Yeast Infections

With so much going on down there already, the last thing you need is an itchy yeast infection when you're expecting. Unfortunately, you’re likely to get a yeast infection at some point during your pregnancy. But they’re harder to control during this time, so ask your doc about the best treatment.

Find a Childbirth Class

While you probably won’t be taking a childbirth class until your third trimester, do the research now, as there are many options (and know that some classes may have wait lists). Taking one gives you hands-on practice and knowledge about the entire birth process. In turn, knowing what to expect from that first contraction to that final push will go a long way toward reducing your anxiety and preparing you for the incredible journey you're about to go through.

Think About 3D Ultrasounds

It's tempting to book an appointment for a 3D or 4D sonogram at your local prenatal portrait center, especially if you've seen these stunning baby portraits and videos online. But studies evaluating the safety of ultrasound technology show mixed results. At this point, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says that there is no reliable scientific evidence showing that ultrasound is harmful to a developing fetus, but the potential risks are still unclear.

Opt for Safe Therapies

It's always smart to proceed with caution when you're self-medicating with herbals — but twice as smart when you're self-medicating for two. To play it safe, don't take any herbal preparation (even ones you used freely preconception) unless it's prescribed by your practitioner for use during pregnancy. If you'd like to feel like a natural woman during your pregnancy, look into other natural therapies that do not include ingesting anything (such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, etc.).

Get Some Fiber

Keep a healthy level of fiber in your diet, drink lots of fluids and be sure to take the time to go when you have to go. On the flip side of fiber: Enough is like a feast; too much can be a gas accident waiting to happen. If you're fitting fiber in for the first time in your life, introduce it slowly and gently.

Book a Prenatal Massage

It's safe to get a rubdown, so go for it by picking a massage therapist — but not just any massage therapist. Choose one who's well versed in the dos and don'ts of prenatal massage. Some things to keep in mind: After the fourth month of pregnancy, lying flat on your back can cause pressure on important blood vessels, so ask your therapist to use pillows that allow you to face the wall rather than the ceiling. Ask for an unscented lotion or oil (not only might the strong fragrance turn you off, some aromatherapy oils can even stimulate uterine contractions). And make sure to avoid direct pressure on the area between the anklebone and heel; pressure to that area could theoretically promote early labor. (Okay, now go slip into a state of delicious delirium.)

Eat Small Meals All Day

The more food you pump in at a sitting, the more gas you'll be pumping out. Fueling up on six small meals a day or three moderate ones plus two or three snacks will not only keep your nutrition levels constant to better nourish your baby, they'll prevent your digestive system from getting overloaded, keeping gassiness in check.

Updated: May 13, 2019

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

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